The UK system of regulation of fracking imposes a range of strict geological controls on operators – including seismic surveys, safe distances, seismic monitoring, a traffic light system, and barriers to fugitive migration.

Experience and professional advice suggest however that each of these controls is flawed i.e.

Seismic surveys are invariably incomplete and incapable of detecting small fault lines and minor vertical displacement which could lead to earthquakes.

The EA formula for calculating a safe distance between fracking propagation and fault lines is unduly optimistic and should be replaced by a minimum distance of at least 850 metres horizontally.

The sequence of events at both the Preese Hall and PNR sites implies inherent instability in the stress planes of the fault lines in the Bowland Field.

Fracture growth monitoring is inadequate to indicate the precise real time effect fracking is having on the propagated area.

The combined effect of these factors is to automatically trigger the temporary suspension of drilling under the current traffic light system, an outcome which is incompatible with commercial considerations.

The current traffic light system also fails to accommodate measures to deal with large seismic events, swarms of seismic events, or trailing events.

Increasing the current red-light limit from 0.5 to 2.0 ML threatens well integrity and fluid migration into unprotected formations.

The higher red-light figure is equivalent to the energy release of 1 metric ton of TNT explosive, the size of a late WW2 bomb.

The regulatory controls will not detect the fugitive migration of released but unrecovered gas/fluids through pathways and conduits, and

The claimed barriers to prevent sideways and upward migration of gas/fluids and the potential pollution of groundwater resources are ineffective.

In an attempt to move away from dirty coal fired power stations, China is in the midst of a huge fracking boom. In spite of difficult terrain, including mountainous, arid, remote and also highly populated regions, Chinese firms can now drill multiple wells at a single pad (‘well-factory’ drilling) and can carry out extended horizontal fracturing up to 3,000 meters. Reuters

Although still far from the extent found in the USA, a recent survey by oil and gas consultants Wood Mackenzie reports Chinese energy giants are making significant progress unlocking natural gas from shale rock formations, creating a shale revolution with output scheduled to double by 2020.

However, as with all other areas in the world where fracking has taken a hold, things are not going to plan and there are now serious concerns about groundwater pollution. The Financial Times recently reported that in the township of Xiaohaotu in central China, the water is “beyond repair” and residents are engaged in a campaign of protest and have support from people across the country.

We urge Lancashire County Council to refuse planning consent to Aurora Energy Resources Ltd. for an exploratory wellsite on the Moss near Great Altcar. The online petition is available on the 38 Degrees website here.

If you would like to help collect signatures yourself, a downloadable / printable version of the petition is available by clicking on the image below or on this link Petition to LCC

This can be handed in at the Frack Free Formby Saturday stall in Formby Village or alternatively, please contact us for a postal address. Many thanks for your support.

Frack Free Formby is postponing The Gild Hall meeting on the 27th of November until further notice.

Meanwhile, please sign the online petition to Lancashire County Council which is on the Frack Free Formby Facebook page and on the 38 Degrees website. We will also be in Formby village with a paper petition on Saturday mornings.

If you would like to help collect signatures yourself, a downloadable / printable version of the petition is available by clicking on the image above or on this link Petition to LCC

This can be handed in at the Saturday stall or please contact us for a postal address.

Sefton Central Labour MP called for an immediate ban on fracking, when he spoke in the fracking debate in Parliament on 31 October 2018.

Mr Esterson said, “Fracking in Formby is of great concern for my constituents… the impact on groundwater, the pollution from traffic to and from the fracking site and the danger of burning yet more fossil fuels. The fact that the government overruled Lancashire County Council to allow fracking at Preston New Road, near Blackpool means that decisions are being taken away from local people. You have to ask why. Or is it simply that the voices of the oil and gas industry outweigh those of local people?

“Conservative MPs who say they oppose fracking must vote to reverse the cuts made by their own government to renewable energy and support investment in producing hydrogen gas. Fracking is bad news for local communities and for the local environment. The technology is risky as we have seen with numerous earthquakes near Blackpool. And above all, if we are to survive the threat of climate change, we must stop fracking and invest in wind, solar and tidal energy as well as switching to hydrogen for gas. Only a low carbon energy system can stop dangerous climate change and stop the threat to local communities. That’s why Labour will ban fracking and why I will do all I can to stop fracking at Formby.

“How many earthquakes will it take for the Conservatives to change their minds? The point is the people of Formby can’t afford to wait to find out how dangerous fracking really is and the planet can’t wait any longer for a complete change in how we produce our energy. The Conservatives are taking a reckless gamble with our communities and with the future of the planet. Labour will ban fracking.”

Petition launched to Lancashire County Council against fracking at Great Altcar

We the undersigned urge Lancashire County Council to refuse planning consent to Aurora Energy Resources Ltd. for an exploratory wellsite on the Moss near Great Altcar for the purpose of Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) for shale gas.

There is a surplus of gas available to the UK even without shale gas exploration and the UK can satisfy its energy requirements using offshore resources and renewables. Shale gas will undermine the country’s climate change obligations and harvesting the gas presents unacceptable risks to the environment and the health of local residents and will consume and contaminate freshwater resources.